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Product Description

Sam Bush started many years ago in traditional bluegrass before turning that world on its ear - advancing a genre beyond recognition - and, in the process, became the godfather of what would eventually become known as Jamband music. With Laps In Seven, Bush is still leading the charge and, in many ways, still doing it better than just about anyone. Laps In Seven captures the energy of Bush's live performance with a batch of songs new to his stellar live show, pairing freshness with chops to make this a must-hear for all fans of progressive acoustic music. Bush has always had an excellent ear for song : Laps In Seven includes songs by Darrel Scott, Julie Miller, Leon Russell, Robbie Fulks, and John Hartford and a cover of It's a Beautiful Day's classic 'White Bird'! Includes guests Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Jean-Luc Ponty, Tim O'Brien, and Shaun Murphy (Little Feat).

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As one of the founding fathers of the bluegrass/jazz hybrid dominating the new acoustic scene, Sam Bush has always kept a close eye on songcraft and tradition, even as he looks toward expanding the expressive and commercial potential of traditional styles. If his previous album, King of the World, was maddeningly eclectic, this, his seventh solo album, sounds more focused and in touch with what made his pioneering work with New Grass Revival so exciting. With the exception of the nimble, dainty instrumental "The Dolphin Dance" and the frenetic, somewhat overwrought electrified jam of the title track, the material preserves the tight punch of a great bluegrass single--even when spilling over the seven-minute mark on Darrell Scott's "River Take Me" or layering organ and female backing vocals for an R&B groove on "I Wanna Do Right" (an homage to Hurricane Katrina victims, cowritten with Jeff Black). His band (featuring Byron House on bass, Keith Sewell on guitar, and Scott Vestal on banjo) blazes straight through the tricky 5/4 time of John Hartford's "On the Road" and finds a melodic sweetness to It's a Beautiful Day's classic-rock standard "White Bird." On Julie Miller's "The River's Gonna Run" he gets his first chance to duet with his old friend Emmylou Harris, and also gets a hard Americana drive courtesy of Buddy Miller's chunky guitars. Certainly Bush has made more experimental records, but this one is among his most tuneful and slyly rocking. --Roy Kasten

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Sam Bush has always had an eclectic taste in music. It's nice to see him branching out to other genres beside his 'thing' with reggae for so many years (not that that was a bad thing). The impression about this album is that it doesn't flow like most of Sam's past solo projects, not that this is also necessarily a really bad thing.

What _is_ enjoyable is Sam's bringing in of a variety of musicians to lend a hand -- the duets with Emmylou Harris and with Andrea Zonn, Jean Luc Ponty, Tim O'Brien and others. In particular, I have been very impressed with Scott Vestal's banjo work as of late and this album provides stellar examples of it.

However, there wasn't a single song that really grabbed me -- unlike on "Glamour & Grits," for example, which contains several amazing instrumentals. This CD is more along the lines of his previous release, "King of My World," which is also a very satisfying production.

To set the record straight, I'm _not_ disappointed at all -- it's just hard when you have Sam's talents to top yourself with every new release; it's also fair to say that people will always tend to find a favorite or two in all the works of musicians they revere, and this particular CD just happens not to be it for me.

"Laps in Seven" may be the best Sam Bush CD so far, and that's saying something considering some of Sam's other excellent projects. I understand some are more interested in hearing instrumentals only, which were more prominent on previous records, but I love Sam's song selections, and yes, his vocals and band's harmonies. The songs also give him plenty of opportunity to shine on his instruments of choice (mandolin, fiddle, and even guitar).

In addition, the other members of the Sam band showcase their talent, and the addition of the banjo to the band is quite refreshing.

Those looking for instrumentals may enjoy "The Dolphin Dance", "New Country", and "Laps in Seven", but the playing and musicianship is prominent throughout the entire record with extended solos in songs.

I wish I could list all of my favorite tracks on the CD, but I truly love them all. Ones that earn the repeat button especially include the title track, "I Wanna Do Right" (featuring Shawn Murphy and the Do-Right Singers), which is a bit of a different sound for Sam, and "Where There's A Road" (featuring Andrea Zonn).

Playing Time - 55:26 -- When it comes to mandolin, Sammy "The Man" Bush has been a leading innovator for decades. He uses acoustic, electric and slide techniques. But, "Laps in Seven" also illustrates the master musician's proficiency on fiddle, guitar and as a lead and harmony vocalist. By the time he had graduated high school in Kentucky in 1970, Sam had won three Junior National Fiddle Championships and had produced the ground-breaking "Poor Richard's Almanac" album. Over the years, he's seemed to develop even greater affinity for and skill on mandolin, continually building his reputation as the "greatest all-purpose mandolinist" (as per David Grisman). Sam Bush is wired as a mandolin player; he once said he learned fiddle tunes by first learning them on the mandolin in order to visualize the song, where the notes sit and how they interact. As you listen to an album like this, try to get into his head and understand where he's coming from musically.

There are the rocking rhythms and syncopations that Sam is well-known for. There is his excellent sense of timing, largely a function of his right-hand technique along with his ability to play all over the mandolin's fingerboard with creative melodic licks that are of his own device. He co-wrote (with John Pennell) the song "Ridin' That Bluegrass Train," that shows his loud, clear, sharp attack to music. He also knows how to get the best players and singers involved. Wizards like Scott Vestal (banjo), Keith Sewell (guitar), and Byron House (bass) can only make you sound better. Using Chris Brown on drums is a clear statement of Sam's intent to continue trying to find that balance in his newgrass music that also allows for mass market appeal and more widespread radio airplay than just on the mom-and-pop one-hour-a-week bluegrass shows.Read more ›

Anyone reading this review knows how great a mandolin player we have in Sam Bush. Sam has always entered into new territory for mandolin, yet maintains a great respect for Bluegrass. He is in the group of great players who I recommend you check out their cds: Matt Flinner, Andy Statman, Jesse McReynolds, Ron McCoury, Chris Thile etc. ______insert your own favorite.

The first few tracks on this CD were 75% Bluegrass which surprised me on a Sam Bush cd, but then all heck broke loose.

I really enjoyed "New Country" with the violin of Jean Luc Ponty. The power and beauty of the song is still evident AT (after Telluride!). I could have done without another cover of "White Bird" but after a few listens I did find myself enjoying it.

I think Sam 's voice and his songwriting are underestimated. Maybe this is due to his great mandolin playing. Some mandolin players tries at singing would be best left in the studio, but Sam's voice meets the challenge of the material and ON TUNE!